Shank grip adjusting means for a slidable side jaw wrench



April s, 1958 s. KUPIS SHANK GRIP ADJUSTING MEANS FOR A SLIDABLE SIDE JAW WRENCH Filed April 19, 1957 w N Q M I? J2 "mm v INVENTOR jfrm q 4 '5.

ATTU RN EYE Un -E SW P SHANK GRIP ADJUSTING MEANS FOR A SLIDABLE smn JAW WRENCH Stanley Kupis, Oakland, Calif. Application April 19, 1957, Serial No. 654,018

2 Claims. or. 81-151) This invention relates to a tool, and more particularl a wrench.

The object of the invention is to provide a wrench which includes a movable jaw that can be readily adjusted and maintained immobile in its various adjusted positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wrench that includes a stationary jaw and a movable jaw, the wrench further including a securing element such as a set screw which can be easily loosened so as to permit the movable jaw to be quickly and easily adjusted to the desired position, and whereby by tightening the set screw, the movable jaw can be quickly and easily maintained immobile in its adjusted position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wrench which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure l is an elevational View of the wrench, constructed according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the wrench of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the movable jaw.

Referring in detail to the drawings, there is shown a wrench which includes an elongated handle that has a head 11 on one end thereof, and the head 11 includes a stationary jaw 12. The head 11 is further provided with a cutout or slot 13 that is define-d partially by side walls 14 and 15, Figure 4. The slot 13 is further defined by angularly arranged end surfaces 16 and 17, and arranged contiguous to the slot 13 is a lug or lip 18.

Extending through the lug 18 is an adjustable securing element or set screw 19 which includes a threaded end portion 20 that adjustably engages the lug 18, and the securing element 19 further includes an enlarged knurled end portion 21, and the end portion 21 may be provided with a recess or socket 22 so that a suitable tool can be arranged in engagement therewith.

The wrench of the present invention further includes a movable jaw which is indicated generally by the numeral 23, and the jaw 23 includes a shank 24 that is slidably mounted in the slot 13 of the head 11. The movable jaw 23 further includes a gripping surface 25 that is adapted to coact with a gripping surface 26 on the stationary jaw 12 whereby a work piece can be readily gripped therebetween. The movable jaw 23 further includes angularly arranged end surface 27, and a shoulder 29.

There is further provided an inter-engaging guide means on the movable jaw and head, and this inter-engaging ice to be gripped between the surfaces 25 and 26 of the jaws,

, and as previously described the jaw 23 includes the shank 24 which is slidably mounted in the slot 13. By loosening the set screw 19, the jaw 23 can be moved to different adjusted positions so that the gripping surface 25 can be moved towards and away from the gripping surface 26. After the jaw 23 has been moved to the desired adjusted location, the set screw 19 is tightened so that the end of the shank 20 bears against the surface 27 of the jaw 23 whereby the jaw will be locked in place. Since it is only necessary to manually unscrew the element 19 when the jaw is to be adjusted, it will be seen that the jaw 23 can be easily and quickly moved to different locations.

In the event that a more firm lock is desired, then a 7 suitable tool can be used to tighten the element 19 against the jaw. The jaw 23 includes the angularly arranged surfaces 28 and 27 which coact with the surfaces 16 and 17 to provide the necessary wedging action. Also, the jaw 23 is guided inthe proper direction by the tongue 30 which projects into the groove 31. The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes. The element 19 includes the portion 21 which is knurled externally so as to facilitate the manual gripping thereof. As shown in Figure 3, the slot 13 has a tapered shape so that when a member is gripped between the surfaces 25 and 26, the jaw 23 will be stationary. The element 19 can either be set by hand or if a permanent setting is required, an Allen type of wrench can be used to tighten the element 19.

The wrench consists of a minimum number of parts so that the possibility of the wrench getting out of order is minimized. When the screw 19 is released, the jaw 23 can be moved to different positions so as to provide a jaw opening of different sizes. sufficient pressure can be applied to the element 19 by the fingers so as to securely fix the jaws in the desired position. Very little pressure is required from the knurled screw 19 to prevent slipping because of the angle between the bottom of the jaw 23 and the slot and any tendency to widen the jaws results in increased pressure from the knurled screw.

I claim:

1. In a wrench, a handle, a head on an end of said handle, and said head including a stationary jaw provided with a slot, said head further including a lug arranged contiguous to said slot, said slot being defined by opposed spaced parallel side surfaces, and first and second end surfaces arranged angularly with respect to each other, a securingelement adjustably mounted in said lug and including a threaded stem extending into said slot and said securing element further including an enlarged end portion, a movable jaw for coacting with said stationary jaw and said movable jaw including a shank slidably mounted in said slot, said shank being provided with angularly arranged first and second end surfaces, the first end section of said movable jaw being arranged contiguous to and adapted to cooperate with the first end surface of said head, the second surface of said shank being engaged by said securing element, said movable and stationary jaws including coacting gripping surfaces, and interengaging guide means on said shank and head.

2. In a wrench, a handle, a head on an end of said In actual practice,

handle, and said head including a stationary jaw provided with a slot, said head further including a lug arranged contiguous to said slot, said slot being defined by opposed spaced parallel side surfaces, and first and second end surfaces arranged angularly with respect to each other, a securing element adjustably mounted in said lug and including a threaded stern extending into said slot and said securing element further including an enlarged end portion, a movable jaw for coasting with said stationary jaw and said movable jaw including a shank slidably mounted in said slot, said shank being provided with angularly arranged first and second end surfaces, the first end section of said lTlUVfiblfi jaw being arranged contiguous to and adapted to cooperate with the first end surface of said head, the second surface of said shank being engaged by said securing element, said movable and sta tionary jaws including coacting gripping surfaces, and

interengaging guide means on said shank and head, said interengaging means comprising a tongue extending into said slot from a side of said head, there being a groove in said shank for slidahly engaging said tongue.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 570,506 France Jan. 17, 1924 

